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The drugstore operator and pharmacy-benefit manager raised its per-share earnings estimate for the year to $3.94 to $3.97, excluding the gain in the latest period, from its previous estimate for a per-share profit of $3.90 to $3.96.

CVS has reported earnings growth for more than two years. Part of last year's success can be traced to a rate dispute between rival Walgreen Co. (WAG) and pharmacy-benefits manager Express Scripts Holding Co. (ESRX) that sent millions of customers to CVS. The dispute has since been resolved and some customers have returned to Walgreen.

CVS also has been focusing its efforts on the specialty-drug market, which includes costly treatments for diseases like cancer and multiple sclerosis. The company earlier this year acquired a technology platform to help identify cost savings for the drugs, which pose challenges to employers and health plans.

Meanwhile, a wave of major generic drug introductions that has put pressure on revenue in the sector also has lifted profit margins.

CVS Caremark reported a profit of $1.25 billion, or $1.02 a share, up from $1.01 billion, or 79 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding a $72 million legal-settlement-related gain, acquisition-related impacts and other items, adjusted earnings were up at $1.05 from 85 cents. The company had projected $1 to $1.03.

On the retail side of the pharmacy business, revenue rose 5% to $16.3 billion. Same-store sales were up 3.6% Retail pharmacy same-store sales improved 5.7% on stronger prescription volume, partly offset by impacts from generic introductions. Same-store sales in the front of the store declined 1% on softer customer traffic.

Shares closed Monday at $61.98 and were inactive in recent premarket trading.

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